The Peruvian Ministry of Environment (MINAM) will host an International Conference: ‘Financing Mechanisms for the Conservation of Ecosystems and Biodiversity’ from 29 to 30 September in Lima, Peru.

The Conference will be run in coordination with CARE, the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Conservation International (CI), The Sustainable Development Program- German Society of Technical Co-operation (PDRS-GTZ) and the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF).

This Conference comes at a crucial time. 2010 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Biodiversity, in recognition of the vital importance of preserving ecosystems globally. While such advocacy work is gaining national and international commitments toward protecting biodiversity, meeting these aims will require a reconfiguration of previous approaches to ecosystem management.

Sustaining healthy ecosystems is not only essential for human existence in the long-term, they also provide more immediate payoffs in the form of direct and indirect contributions to our financial economies via ‘ecosystem services’ (ES). Examples of ES are found in Peruvian Natural Protected Areas (ANPs). The ANPs not only provide sanctuary to a wide diversity of flora and fauna but also directly benefit some 2.7 million people through securing the availability and quality of their drinking water (valued at over UDS81 million annually). Similarly, the ANPs are the sources for 61% of Peruvian hydropower stations; these ES are valued at approximately USD320 million annually.

Such examples can be found in every country through the world. Nonetheless, traditional financial markets are not sufficient to ensure the sustainable exploitation of these ES. Hence, the identification of innovative approaches to managing these resources is essential. The MINAM Conference will directly address this need by providing a forum for participants to meet and discuss the progress and challenges of new approaches and mechanisms.

Key Note Speakers will include specialists and organizational representatives from Germany, the Netherlands, USA, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

The Conference will be held at the Hotel Plaza del Bosque (Avenida Paz Soldan 190, San Isidro) from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 pm.